2010 MARYLAND MILLION ATTRACTS 180 PRE-ENTRIES
LAUREL, MD. 09-24-10---The Laurel Park racing office announced this morning that a total of 180 pre-entries (156 horses as 24 were cross-entered) were named to the 11 races which comprise the 2010 Jim McKay Maryland Million. The 25th running of the event will take place at Laurel Park next Saturday, Oct. 2. First post is 12:35 p.m.
The post position draw for the $1.05 million day will be held at Laurel Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 29. At the draw, the Maryland Million, Ltd. will honor the leading breeders, owners, trainers and riders in the history of Maryland’s Day at the Races. Awards will be presented to jockey Ramon Dominguez-17 wins; trainers Bill Boniface and Dale Capuano-eight wins; owners Sondra Bender and Mea Culpa Stables-five wins and breeders Bonita Farm, Hal C.B. Clagett, Glade Valley Farms, Barbara Cross Graham and Mr. & Mrs. Charles McGinnes-five wins.
A field of 10 could compete in the $150,000 Maryland Million Classic but not defending champion Sumacha’hot, who suffered a minor leg injury during training this week. The field is expected to include 2008 champion Cuba and Regal Solo, who finished second and third respectively a year ago.
All Giving ($100,000 Distaff), Roaring Lion ($100,000 Sprint), Natural Seven ($100,000 Sprint Turf), Talkin About Love ($100,000 Ladies) and Serenadia ($50,000 Distaff Starter Handicap) are expected to attempt to defend titles.
Overall 13 previous winners are nominated, including the last three in the Sprint Turf: Kosmo’s Buddy (2007), millionaire Heros Reward (2008) and Natural Seven (2009).
Much of the pre-race hype surrounds undefeated Ben’s Cat from the King Leatherbury stable. The son of Partner’s Hero is pre-entered in both the Sprint and Turf Sprint. The 4-year-old gelding is a perfect three-for-three at six-furlongs, the Sprint distance, and captured the Mister Diz Stakes on the grass in his last start.
John Salzman, Jr. has a similar decision to make with his talented 2-year-old filly Twelve Pack Shelly. The daughter of Deputy Storm, who set a track record here in her debut in April, is nominated to both the $100,000 Lassie and the $100,000 Nursery. She has won three straight, including stakes races at Monmouth Park and Charles Town.
Introduced in 1986, the Maryland Million, a program of races restricted to the offspring of Maryland-based stallions, has been duplicated by 22 other states. Maryland-sired Thoroughbreds are nominated before they become 2-year-olds and remain eligible for life to run in the Maryland Million races. After twenty-four runnings, 211 stallions have been represented in Maryland Million races.
Hall of Fame broadcaster Jim McKay originally proposed the concept and remained Chairman of the Board until his death two years ago. Twenty times attendance figures have topped 20,000 for the event.
The first 4,000 full-paid admissions and Maryland-licensed owners and trainers will each receive a free Maryland Million Sport Cap. On-track entertainment between races will feature Goshen Fox hounds, the Master of the Horse for Medieval Times, retired racehorses from Thoroughbred Placement & Rescue Inc. and CANTER Mid-Atlantic plus a display from Special Olympics Maryland.
Country music sensation James Otto will hold a special concert in-between the fifth and sixth races. The 37-year-old will be performing his 2007 number one single “Just Got Started Lovin You” and his current chart-climbing single “Groovy Little Summer Song”.
HRTV will have a live presence for the entire card with hosts Caton Bredar and Dick Jerardi on site.
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Mike Gathagan
Vice President-Communications
Maryland Jockey Club
410-578-4461 (Pimlico)
301-470-5461 (Laurel Park)
240-876-7403 (Mobile)
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